Process of preparing wood and the product thereof.



UN ITE ll Patented March 15, 1904.

STATES PATENT Tr1cE.

MAX LICHTENBERGER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO LOUIS WVERTHEIMBER,OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

PROCESS OF PREPARING WOOD AND THE PRODUCT THEREOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 754,782, dated March15, 1904.

Application fi1edJune25,1903. Serial No. 163,083. (Specimens) To allwhom, it 772/001] concern:

Be it known that I, MAX LIOHTENBERGER, of the borough of Brooklyn,county of Kings, and State of New-York, have invented a new and usefulProcess of Preparing Wood and the Product Thereof, which is fully setforth in the following specification.

My invention relates to a process of preparing wood sawdust; and itsobject is to provide an improved material which may be used fordecorative purposes and especially in the manufacture of variousnovelties.

In carrying out my invention I may use any wood which is capable ofbeing bleached and susceptible of taking a color in a dye-bath. I beginwith ordinary sawdust obtained from any suitable wood. I have found inpractice that light-colored woods are better adapted to the purposes ofthe invention and have successfully used maple, white pine, andchestnut, although such woods as ash, hickory, and oak may be used.Sawdust from such wood in its usual condition may be used as the basisfor treatment by my process; but in order to obtain a better and moresatisfactory article the sawdust is passed through a grinding-machinefor the purpose of breaking up and reducing any small pieces of woodwhich may be mixed with the sawdust and to reduce the particles of themass to a substantially uniform size. Any suitable grinding-machine maybe used, such as that for grinding meat and vegetables. After being soreduced the sawdust is sifted through sieves, if necessary, to obtain astill more uniform mass.

The sawdust after being subjected to the mechanical operations abovedescribed is put into a suitable vat and subjected to the action of anywell-known bleaching agent. I have used for such purposes a solution ofone pound of soda-ash to ten pounds of chlorid of lime and ten gallonsof water. One gallon of a solution so prepared in ten gallons of wateris sufiicient to bleach about one-half barrel of sawdust. The sawdust isallowed to stand in thebleaching solution until the desired bleachingaction is completed-usually about six hours, according to the particularwood used. During the bleaching action the mass may be stirred, if foundnecessary or desirable. The bleaching solution is then run off from themass in any suitable manner, as by throwing the mass uponsuitably-arranged sieves. The bleached sawdust is then dried in anysuitable way by exposure to the air or in any wellknown hot-air or steamdrier.

The above operations prepare the sawdust for the final operation ofdyeing. To effect this, a bath is prepared by dissolving the desiredquantity of dyestufl" in water and the sawdust allowed to remain in thebath until the desired shade of color is obtained, usually from five toten minutes. During the dyeing operation the mass may be stirred, ifnecessary. Any coloring-matter having an affinity for the wood may beused; but I prefer what are commonly known as anilin colors, as by theiruse brilliant shades may be produced. After dyeing to the desired shadethe mass is removed from the dye-bath and dried in any suitable manner.

The product obtained by the process above described may be applied to avariety of purposes. 'By mixing the product with any suitable adhesiveit may be worked into ornamental designs or may be used as a coating forfancy articles and novelties.

hat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The method herein described consisting in subjecting wood sawdust tothe action of a bleaching agent and then subjecting the bleached sawdustto the action of a dye-bath.

2. The herein-described process consisting in subjecting wood sawdust tothe bleaching action of chlorid of lime and then to a dyebath consistingof an anilin coloring-matter.

3. The method herein described consisting in first grinding or reducingto a pulverulent form ordinary wood sawdust then subjecting such sawdustto the action of a bleaching agent and finally dyeing the bleached mass.

A. The herein-described process consisting in reducing ordinary sawdustto a pulverulent form then subjecting the same to the action of June,1903,sig'ned this specification in the res v a bleaching agent;drying the bleached mass ence of two subscribing Witnesses.

and finally subjecting it to the action of a dye- MAX LIOHTENBERGFRbath. J V 5 5. As a new article bleached and dyed saW- Witnesses:

dust. J USTUS W. SMITH,

In witness whereof I have, this 24ith day of GERTRUDE FINLAYSON.

